Tiltable electronics cabinet

ABSTRACT

An electronics cabinet assembly having a support shelf and an equipment module movably supported thereon. The equipment module is moveable between a closed position adjacent the rear of the support shelf, and an extended position substantially forward relative of the support shelf where the equipment module is hingably supported on the support shelf such that the front of the equipment module can tilt downwards to expose the rear of the equipment module for easy access to the wire and cable connectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cabinets for the installation ofelectronics equipment including telecommunications equipment, and moreparticularly, to cabinets that provide access to the equipment within.

Particular types of electronics and telecommunications installationsrequire various components connected together with a myriad of wires andcables. For example, certain telecommunications installations fortelephone customers receive a fiber optic bundle from the localtelephone company. To connect to the customer's phone lines, equipmentis needed to convert the wide band optical signals to narrow banddigital signals, and other equipment is needed to convert the narrowband digital signals to analog. A rectifier is required to convert thepower from local 120 volt outlets, and back up batteries are needed incase the local power source fails.

Typically, the various equipment components are installed on stationaryracks and/or shelves. Installing the equipment on racks or shelves nearor mounted on the wall can be problematic as access to the wire andcable connectors on the rear of the equipment is difficult if notimpossible. Moreover, present shelf and rack systems are not easilyintegrated with the power supply and batteries. Major improvements overpresent installations are necessary to provide simpler, less costly, andeasier to maintain installations.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide anelectronics cabinet assembly that can integrate the electronicsequipment and power supply.

Another object is to provide an electronics cabinet assembly that iseasy to install.

A further object is provide an electronics cabinet assembly that can bemounted on the wall or on a pedestal.

A still further object is to provide an electronics cabinet assemblythat provides access to the wire and cable connections in the rear ofthe equipment.

Another object is to provide an electronics cabinet that can be stackedon top of other cabinets and equipment and still provide access to therear of the equipment.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In broad terms, the objects and advantages of the present invention canbe attained by providing an electronics cabinet assembly having asupport shelf and an equipment module which is movably supported on thesupport shelf. The equipment, module, having a front and a rear, ismoveable between a closed position adjacent the rear of the supportshelf, and an extended position in which it is substantially forwardrelative to the support shelf. When the equipment module is in theextended position, it is hingably supported on the support shelf to betiltable about a pivot axis such that the front of the equipment modulecan tilt downwards to expose the rear of the equipment housed within.

Whether wall or pedestal mounted, the cabinet assembly provides forsimplified installation of the equipment module. The support shelf istypically installed or mounted first without the heavier equipmentmodule. The equipment module is then placed onto the pre-installedsupport shelf and attached thereto. Access to the rear of the equipmentmodule for making the wire and cable connections is readily provided:the equipment is moved forward to its extended position where the frontof the equipment module tilts downward to expose the rear. The cabinetassembly can be stacked and bundled with other equipment or other suchcabinet assemblies. Access to the connectors for installation and wiringis again provided simply by moving the particular cabinet assemblyforward to clear the other equipment where it tilts downward to exposethe rear.

The support shelf preferably includes a track on which the equipmentmodule is movably supported. When in the closed position, the equipmentmodule is at least substantially supported on the track. When in theextended position, the equipment module is substantially forwardrelative to the support shelf and substantially off of the track whereit is hingably supported by the support shelf for tilting.

The cabinet assembly can include a wire and cable trough between therear of the equipment module and the support shelf for the wires andcables. In this manner, the cabinet assembly can be attached directly toa wall as the trough for the wires and cables is within the cabinetassembly. Whether wall or pedestal mounted, the cabinet assemblyprovides a secured, efficient housing for the equipment and wires andcables.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet assembly of the presentinvention mounted on a pedestal and shown in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cabinet assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cabinet assembly of FIG. 1 shown inits extended and tilted position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cabinet assembly of FIG. 1showing the equipment module separated from the support shelf andshowing mounting structures within the equipment module;

FIG. 5 is an enlarge perspective view of the equipment module; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the spacer on which the cabinet assemblyis mounted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 is a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention for use as a Secured-area, Telecommunications ApplicationCabinet (STAC). This is an electronics cabinet assembly for housingtelecommunications equipment in an indoor restricted access area. Thisparticular cabinet is shown mounted on a pedestal housing batteries, butcan also be wall-mounted as further described below.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the electronics cabinetassembly 10 of the present invention includes a support shelf 12 and anequipment module 14 supported on the shelf 12. The cabinet assembly 10is fixedly mounted on top of a spacer 16, which in turn is fixedlymounted on top of a pedestal battery module 18 anchored to the floor bymeans such as bolts. The various components are fixed together and tothe floor as described to prevent the electronics cabinet assembly 10from tipping over when the equipment module 12 is tilted (FIG. 3) asfurther described below.

The cabinet assembly 10 is now described in detail beginning with thesupport shelf 12. For orientation and reference purposes, the cabinetassembly 10 has a front 20, rear 22, sides 24a, 24b, top 26 and bottom28 as indicated in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 4, the support shelf 12 has a planar rear panel30, and a pair of arms 32a, 32b, extending forward from the panel 30along opposite sides 24a, 24b. Extending upwardly from a forward end ofeach arm 32a, 32bis a projection 34 such as the flat finger 34 having aninner vertical edge 34a. A semi-circular notch 36 is formed at theintersection of the vertical edge 34a and a top edge 38 of the arms 32a,32b as shown. The rear end of the arms 32a, 32b form an angled shoulder40 as shown.

The shelf 12 includes at least one track 42 for supporting the equipmentmodule 14 and upon which the equipment module 14 can move. In theillustrated embodiment, the track 42 takes the form of two tracks 42a,42b, each extending forward from the rear of the shelf 12, and eachhaving a horizontal lower brace 44 and a vertical rail 47, both of whichare integrally formed on the arms 32a, 32b as shown. The top edge 38forms the top of the vertical rails 47. The top surface 45 of the braces44 and the top edge 38 of the rails 47 form a flat, smooth surface onwhich the equipment module 14 can slide as further discussed below.

Structural rigidity and strength are added to the shelf 12 by struts 46fixed at one end to the tracks 42a, 42b and at the other end to the rearpanel 30 along the bottom of the support shelf 12. The struts 46 arefixed as described by any suitable means such as rivets, welding, etc.Bolt holes 48a, 48b on the top and bottom of the shelf 12 are providedfor securing the container assembly 10 to the spacer 16 as shown or anyother component which may be attached on top or below. While the cabinetassembly 10 illustrated is pedestal mounted, it may also be mounted on awall. A suitable number (6) of bolt holes 50 are provided in the rearpanel 30 for wall mounting.

The equipment module 14 houses the telecommunication and electronicsequipment and is supported on the shelf 12 to be moveable between aclosed, upright position as seen in FIG. 1 where it is substantiallysupported on the track 42, and an extended position forward of theclosed position relative to the shelf 12 as seen in FIG. 3 where it issubstantially off the track 42 allowing the front of the equipmentmodule 14 to tilt downward to provide access to its rear. Electronicequipment is mounted within the equipment module 14 such that the frontof the equipment faces forward 20 and the back of the equipment, havingthe wire and cable connectors, face rearward 22.

The bottom of the equipment module 14 (not shown), identical to the top54 in the present embodiment, is formed of sheet metal, preferablyaluminum, and has flat, smooth side ends 56 (illustrated for the top 54in FIG. 1) which are movably supported on the tracks 42 for slidingmovement between the closed and extended position. Small wheels, ballrollers, or any type of sliding mechanism such as those used withdrawers, could be used to aid movement of the equipment module 14 overthe track 42, but are unnecessary for the present embodiment. Theequipment module 16 is also movably supported on the top edges 38 of therails 47 by pins 60 fixed to and extending from opposite sides of theequipment module 14 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. In the illustrated form,the pin 60 takes the form of a shoulder screw as further describedbelow, but may comprise any suitable structure for slidably sitting uponthe rails 47, and can also include rollers and wheels. Although theequipment module of the present embodiment is movably supported on thebraces 44 and the vertical rails 47 on each track 42a, 42b, it isrecognized that the equipment module 14 could be movably supported oneither one alone with suitable modification to the device. For example,raising slightly the pins 60 would place full moveable support on thebraces 44, while lowering slightly the pins 60 would place support ofthe rear of the equipment module 14 on the pins 60, the front of theequipment module 14 (or that part of the module still over the forwardsection of the braces as the equipment module is moved) being supportedon the braces 44.

As seen in FIG. 3, the equipment module 14 is supported hingably on thesupport shelf 12 for rotation (tilting) about a pivot axis 58 when inthe extended position to enable the front of the module 14 to tiltdownward relative to the shelf.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hinged support at the pivot axis 58is provided by the pair of pins 60 (hinge pins) extending from bothsides of the module 14 as previously described above. The pins 60 movedownward to engage the support shelf 12 in the notches 36 when theequipment module 14 is fully extended and tilted downward (see FIG. 5).The equipment module 14 can be slid forward to a position where the pins60 hit the fingers 34. No longer substantially supported on the tracks42a 42b, the front of the equipment module 14 can tilt downward,engaging the pins 60 in the notches 36 to hold the pins 60 in place.

To hold the equipment module 14 in its fully tilted position, a secondpair of pins 62 (stop pins) extend from both sides of the equipmentmodule 14 slightly above and to the rear of the hinge pins 60 as bestseen in FIGS. 5 and 3. With the hinge pins 60 engaged in and held by thenotches 36, the stop pins 62 engage the edge 34a of the finger 34 toprevent further tilting and thereby hold the equipment module 14 in itstilted position. With reference to FIG. 1, it is seen that the stop pins62 also function to define the closed position of the equipment module14 relative to the support shelf 12 by engaging the shoulder 40 toprevent any further movement rearward.

The first (hinge) pins 60 and second (stop) pins 62 are formed from anysuitable extension member, shoulder screws being used in the illustratedembodiment which is compatible with the use of pins 60 for also movablysupporting the equipment module 14 on the rails 47. As seen in FIG. 5,the shoulder screw pins 60, 62 are fixed to the side panels of theequipment module 14 with nuts and a reinforcing plate 64 positioned onthe inside of the equipment module 14. The pins 60, 62 are positionedfar enough back on the equipment module 14 so that the equipment module14 clears the track 42 when tilting. Moreover, the hinge pins 60 arerearward of the center of gravity of the equipment module 14 so that theequipment module can 14 tilt downward on its own once moved into theextended position, although the person moving the equipment module 14should lower it gently.

A secondary means for holding the equipment module 14 in the tiltedposition is provided by a pair of stop arms 66 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.Each stop arm 66 is preferably formed of two arm sections 66a, 66bpivotally attached to one another to fold as seen in FIG. 5. One end ofeach stop arm 66 is pivotally attached to the equipment module 14, theother end to the support shelf 12. When fully extended, as seen in FIG.5, the equipment module 14 can tilt no further. The arms 66 therebyprovide an additional (safety) stop in addition to the stop pins 62, orcould be used as an alternative stop in place of the stop pins 62.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a trough 67 for wires and cables isprovided between the rear of the equipment module 14 and rear of thepanel 30 of the support shelf 12. The trough 67 runs the entire heightand width of the cabinet assembly 10 to provide room for the wires andcables coming from above and below for connection to the equipment inthe equipment module 14 as well as any wires and cables running throughthe trough 67 to equipment above or below the cabinet assembly 10. Thestop pins 62 engage the shoulder 40 of the support shelf 12 to preventthe equipment module 14 from any further movement rearward and thusdefines the closed position of the cabinet assembly 10 while providingthe desired trough depth.

The support shelf 12 and the equipment module 14 are preferably formedof sheet metal, such as aluminum, having a thickness or gauge suitablefor the weight to be supported. The support shelf 12 is preferablyformed of a single piece of aluminum sheet, the struts 46 being rivetedthereto.

The equipment module 14 is preferably formed of two identical halfsections 68a, 68b (one section turned upside down relative to the other)riveted together to form the box-like module 14 (FIG. 1). A bottom lip70 having slots 72 (FIG. 5) is riveted to the bottom section 68b forsupporting a door 74 (FIG. 1). The two half sections 68a, 68b each haveair vents as shown for heat dissipation, and have internal structuresadded to facilitate mounting of the electronics and telecommunicationsequipment housed within as seen in FIG. 4.

The door 74 has an opening for engaging a lock bracket 76 riveted to thetop shelf section 68a. The lock bracket 76 has a hole for receiving apadlock to lock the door 74 in place. Unauthorized movement and tiltingof the equipment module 14 is prevented by placing a pin 78 through anopening 78a in the finger 34 and into a corresponding opening 78b in theequipment module 14 when it is in the closed position. The door 74, asseen in FIG. 1, has side edges 80 to cover the pins 78 and therebyprevent their removal when the door 74 is locked in place. A pin 79 canalso be placed through the support shelf opening 79a and equipmentmodule opening 79b to further secure the equipment module 14.

The cabinet assembly 10 is preferably painted. However, the stop arms66, also made of aluminum, are not painted to ensure a ground connectionbetween the shelf 12 and the equipment module 14.

The cabinet assembly 10 of the illustrated embodiment is ideally suitedfor pedestal mounting as illustrated, as well as for wall mounting. Asseen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the cabinet assembly 10 is mounted on top ofthe battery-containing pedestal 18 which provides back-up power for thetelecommunications equipment module 14. The battery module 18 is formedto have a similar width (W) and depth (D) as the cabinet assembly 10.

The spacer 16 between the cabinet assembly 10 and the pedestal 18 issized to provide sufficient height (H) and clearance so that theequipment module 14 can tilt forward without interference from the fronttop edge of the battery module 18, while being lesser in depth (D) sothat it itself does not interfere with the tilting of equipment module14. With reference to FIG. 6, the spacer 16 is likewise formed fromaluminum sheet and has a large, rectangular top opening 80 to allow airflow into the vents in the bottom 68b of the equipment module 14. Atrough 82 running the width and height of the spacer 16 and which alignswith the trough 67 is provided in the support shelf 12 for the wires andcables. It is contemplated that baffles and/or fans to direct air flowcould be added within the spacer 16 to improve air flow as necessary.

The pedestal cabinet 18, housing the batteries, is of similar width anddepth as the cabinet assembly 10, and should be anchored to the floor orwall to prevent tipping. It is likewise formed of aluminum sheet andincludes similar top and bottom sections 68a, 68b as the cabinetassembly 10. An extension section 84 riveted in between the two section68a, 68b, provides the additional height. A door 86 connects and locksto the front of the pedestal 18 in a similar manner as the door 74 ofthe equipment module 14. A pedestal trough (not shown) running theheight of the pedestal 18 aligns with the spacer trough 82 and cabinetassembly trough 67 to provide a trough for wires and cables running thefull height of the pedestal 18, spacer 16, and cabinet assembly 10 whenconnected together to form a single unit.

The spacer 16 is bolted to the top of the pedestal at bolt holes 88a.The cabinet assembly 10 is bolted to the spacer through bolt holes 48binto the holes 88b. The units 10, 16, and 18 must be fixed together toprevent the units from tipping over when the equipment module 14 isextended and tipped.

For wall mounting of the cabinet assembly 10, the support shelf 12 isfirst attached to the wall using the bolt holes 50. Once the supportshelf is in place on the wall, the equipment cabinet is placed onto thesupport shelf and the stop arms 66 connected with screws and nuts toboth section 12, 14. Additional cabinet assemblies 10 can be mountedbelow and/or on top, the cable and wires running conveniently in thewire troughs 67. If multiple cabinet assemblies 10 are wall mounted ontop each other, spacers 16 should be used to separate the variouscabinets assemblies 10 from one another to provide the necessaryclearance for the equipment module 14 to tilt, and to provide adequateventilation for each equipment module to prevent overheating. Thevarious cabinet assemblies and spacers are bolted to one another aspreviously described in addition to being bolted to the wall.

The above illustrated example highlights many of the advantages of thepresent invention. It provides a convenient, efficient modular designthat simplifies installation and maintenance of certain electronics andtelecommunications equipment whether pedestal or wall mounted.

The equipment module tilts downward to allow for easy accessibility tothe equipment rear for wire and cable installation. Troughs are built-into allow wall mount and to control and protect the wire and cable runs.

The foregoing description is intended to describe the invention byillustration of a preferred embodiment. The illustration is not intendedto limit the invention in any way, and is to be limited by the appendedclaims only.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronics cabinet assembly having a frontand a rear, said cabinet assembly comprising:a support shelf having apair of arms extending from the rear to the front, said arms having aprojection extending upwardly from the front of said arms, and said armshaving a track; an equipment module supported on said support shelf tobe moveable on said track, said module being moveable between a closedposition substantially supported on said track, and an extended positionforward of said closed position and substantially off of said track,said equipment module being supported hingably on said support shelfwhen in the extended position so that the front of said equipment moduleis tiltable downward relative to said shelf into a tilted position; apin fixed to said equipment module and positioned to hingably engagesaid support shelf when said equipment module is in the extendedposition; and a second pin fixed to said equipment module and positionedto engage said projection when said support shelf is in a fully downwardtilted position to prevent further tilting.
 2. An electronics cabinetassembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a trough betweenthe rear of the equipment module and the rear of the support shelf whenthe equipment module is in the closed position, anda spacer on whichsaid shelf is mountable, said spacer being lesser in depth than saidequipment module and having sufficient height such that a second supportshelf and equipment module of similar depth as said first equipmentmodule mounted beneath said spacer will not interfere with the tiltingof said first equipment module, said spacer further having a troughpositioned to be aligned with said first trough when said shelf ismounted to said spacer.
 3. An electronics cabinet assembly in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said track comprises at least two tracks positionedon opposite sides of said support shelf and extending forward from therear of said support shelf.
 4. An electronics cabinet assembly inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said tracks have a substantially flatsurface to allow sliding movement thereon.
 5. An electronic cabinetassembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shelf includes a topedge and a notch positioned at an intersection of said projection andsaid top edge to be hingably engaged by said pin when said equipmentmodule is in the extended position.
 6. An electronics cabinet assemblyin accordance with claim 1 further comprising a stop arm having one endpivotally connected to said shelf and another end pivotally connected tosaid equipment module to limit the tilting of said equipment module,said stop arm comprising first and second arms pivotally connected toone another.
 7. An electronics cabinet assembly in accordance with claim1 wherein each of said arms has a said projection, and said second pincomprises a pair of second pins positioned on opposite sides of saidequipment module from one another, each of said second pins positionedto engage one of said projections when said support shelf is in a fullydownward tilted position to prevent further tilting.